Doing Research in Applied Linguistics

As applied linguistics matures as an academic field, the range and variety of areas of interest are expanding rapidly, perhaps to the extent that the field is in danger of becoming fragmented. Research provides a common language for applied linguists from different sub-fields, with research approaches and research issues applicable to all applied linguists irrespective of their specific field of interest. With this awareness, this Conference was initiated under collaboration between Macquarie University and the School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. The goal of the conference is to share and learn about a variety of aspects of doing research in applied linguistics, including:

* purposes and uses of research in applied linguistics
* research paradigms and their applications
* issues in data collection and analysis
* experiences of research and development as a researcher

The conference will include papers (30 minutes), poster presentations, and a forum for novice researchers.
Papers should focus on research issues, rather than subject area issues. For example, papers could discuss the appropriacy of a particular research paradigm, problems and solutions in data analysis, or the ways in which conducting research affected teaching. Papers can report findings concerning the subject area, but should at least include a substantial discussion of issues concerning conducting research. Abstracts of 150-200 words should be sent. Some timeslots will be reserved for papers by current PhD students to encourage dissemination of research issues relating to PhDs.

Abstracts for poster presentations should be 100-150 words.

There will be a forum for novice researchers (e.g. prospective PhD students, teachers wishing to do research). Presenters will speak for up to 10 minutes and then receive feedback from the audience. Proposals for the novice researcher forum should be 100-150 words.